Hazrat Mir Muhammad Ismail (ra) — Page 6
6 to re - establish the Sunnah of the Prophet in its truest spirit. Just as Jesus as the Messiah appeared thirteen centuries after Prophet Moses as , so did Ahmad as the Messiah appear thirteen centuries after Muhammad s as - the Prophet of Islam. The “ promise ” was kept a nd a great prophecy was finally fulfilled. With the appearance of the Promised Messiah, a new flock of believers - his disciples - foretold in the Qur’ān as the " Ākharīn " (pronounced Aa - kha - reen) , and referred to in the Hadith as the " Aṣḥāb " ( Companions ) of the Messiah as , also emerged. This great prophecy of the Holy Prophet s as has been recorded in Sahih Muslim, which happens to be one of the most a uthentic compilations of his sayings. This Hadith also highlights a remarkable sign of the Promised Messiah and his Companions, which is their Raghbat ilall ā h or “ unflinching devotion to God ”. The simple message of this prophecy is that the final victory o f Islam in the latter days, would be due to the devotion of the Messiah and his disciples. It would be by means of their humble prayers and supplications, and not by means of any material, political or militant struggle. The true power of the Promised Mess iah as and his disciples, according to the prophecy, hence, would be their relationship with God. The Aṣḥāb or "Companions of the Messiah", along with the Messiah as himself, thus, enjoy the rare privilege of having been mentioned prophetically with great affection, by the Holy Prophet Muhammad s as , an honour of immeasurable worth indeed. This book is about the life of one such c ompanion of the